HISTORY: Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, PA, Roland D. Swoope, 1911, Chapter 12 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja and Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other chapters: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm ________________________________________________ TWENTIETH CENTURY HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS BY ROLAND D. SWOOPE, JR. PUBLISHED BY RICHMOND-ARNOLD PUBLISHING CO. F. J. Richmond, President C. R. Arnold, Secretary and Treasurer CHICAGO, ILL. CHAPTER XII THE BAR OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY - FORMER MEMBERS HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY 184 Character of the Clearfield County Bar - First Court - First Resident Member of the Bar - Sketches of the Leading Members of the Bar in Former Days. The Bar of Clearfield County ranks high among similar bodies of the legal profession throughout the state. Many of its members have achieved place and fame by their ability and while it may be that occasionally one failed to realize the dignity and high standard of honor required of those who would acquire the true laurels of a real lawyer, yet such members were fortunately the exceptions and the general tone of the lawyers of the county has always been up to the mark of character and integrity called for by the ethics of the profession. Clearfield county was not organized for judicial purposes until 1822 and the first Court in the county was held in October of that year. The first resident of the bar was Josiah W. Smith. Mr. Smith was born in Philadelphia, but when only about 18 years of age came with his brother Lewis to this county and they settled on a farm about two miles below Curwensville, since known as the Benjamin Spackman farm. He read law with Judge Thomas Burnside of Bellefonte and was admitted to practice in December, 1826, and at the same time was appointed deputy attorney general for Clearfield county, which office was equivalent to that of district attorney. Mr. Smith continued to practice until 1856 when he removed to Philadelphia and resided there until 1862 when he returned to Clearfield and resided there until his death March 22, 1882, at the age of 81. While not distinguished as a trial lawyer Josiah Smith was deeply read in the law and much given to mediation between litigants. He was a man of pure character and an upright and respected citizen. Lewis Smith, the brother of Josiah Smith to whom reference has already been made, read law with Josiah and was admitted to practice about 1830. He was a trial lawyer of considerable ability. Mr. Smith was engaged in nearly all the cases brought in the courts of the county during his practice, and was generally successful. He died in 1847. Joseph M. Martin located in Clearfield about 1830 and practiced law until the time of his death, which occurred in 1835. He was a lawyer of ability, but owing to the few years that he was at our bar not much data can be secured regarding him. William Christie located in Curwensville about 1826. He was a man of unusual promise and force, but although he had a fine practice and was very popular, he indulged in ex- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 185 cesses which soon ended his career by an untimely death. James B. Marr located in Clearfield about 1839, after having read law with James F. Linn Esq. of Lewisburg, Pa., and being admitted to the bar of Union County. He practiced law for several years and was considered as fairly successful. He died a few years after coming here, but the exact date of his death has not been ascertained. Daniel G. Fenton was admitted to the bar about 1830. He came here from New Jersey and practiced with indifferent success until 1836, when having become involved in financial difficulties, he sold his property and moved to Iowa, after which no further data about him has been obtained. Elmer S. Dundy read law in Clearfield and was admitted to the bar here, but shortly afterwards removed to Falls City, Nebraska, where he became judge of the United States Court. It is believed that Judge Dundy never practiced law here. Lewis J. Crans came from Philadelphia and located at Curwensville. He read law with Joseph S. Frantz and was admitted to practice here. He had a large practice and was quite successful as a lawyer, but after about seven years from his admission to the bar he removed to Philadelphia and from there to Concordia, Kansas. Isaac G. Gordon came from Union County where he read law with James F. Linn, Esq., of Lewisburg, and was admitted to practice in 1843. He first located at Curwensville and subsequently formed a partnership with George R. Barrett, which continued for about three years, when he removed to Brookville, Pa. He became a Judge of the Supreme Court of the state and served a full term. He died at Brookville a few years ago. James Harvey Larrimer was born in Centre County, Pa., read law with Judge James Burnside and was admitted to the bar of Centre Co. about 1853. In 1854 he located in Clearfield and practiced law until 1858, when he became one of the editors and proprietors of the Clearfield Republican, his partner in the enterprise being R. F. Ward, Jr. In 1860 Mr. Larrimer retired from the partnership and resumed the practice of the law. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted as a private but was made first lieutenant of Captain Loraine's Company of the Fifth Pa. Reserves. Subsequently he was promoted to Captain and then to Major and appointed aide on the staff of General Samuel W. Crawford. Major Larrimer was killed in a skirmish with guerillas near Collett's Station, Va., February 14, 1863. Larrimer Post G. A. R. of Clearfield was named in his honor. Joseph S. Frantz came to Clearfield about 1850 from Kittanning, Armstrong Co., Pa. where he had been admitted to the bar. He remained in Clearfield about four years and then removed to the west, and was lost track of by his Clearfield friends. George Rodden Barrett was born in Curwensville on the 31st day of March, in the year 1815. In the year 1831 he was apprenticed to Governor John Bigler, to learn the printer's trade. In 1833 he became editor of the "Brookville Jeffersonian," published at Brookville, Jefferson county, which he continued for two years. He moved to Lewisburg in 1835 and edited the "Lewisburg Democrat." While there he read law with James F. Linn, and was admitted to practice in 1836, and in the same year came to Clearfield. The next year, 1837, he was made deputy attorney-gentral for Clearfield and Jefferson counties. Mr. Barrett was elected to the State Legislature in HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY 186 1840, and re-elected the succeeding year. He served as a member of the judiciary committee when the law abolishing imprisonment for debt was passed. In 1852 he was chosen as one of the presidential electors. On account of his recognized legal ability he was selected by President Pierce for the purpose of codifying the revenue laws. He was appointed president judge of the Twenty- second Judicial District, comprising the counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon, in the year 1853. At the general election in the district in 1855, he was elected to the same position and re-elected in 1865. He resigned in 1869, but was appointed to the same office by Governor Geary, and served one year. In 1872 Barrett returned to Clearfield and resumed the practice of the law, which practice he continued up to 1884, at which time he retired from the active duties of the profession, content to rest upon the well earned honors of nearly half a century. He died, March 9th, 1889. Robert Wallace was a native of Ireland, having been born in Barony Omagh, County Tyrone, March 13, 1792. In the year 1819 he emigrated to America and settled in Mifflin County, Pa., where he taught school. He read law with E. Banks Esq. of Lewistown, Pa. and was admitted to the bar in 1824. After practicing a short time in Huntingdon, Pa. he came to Clearfield where he remained about one year and then again located in Huntingdon, but made regular trips to Clearfield to attend to the trial of cases. In 1836 he removed from Huntingdon to Clearfield where he remained until 1847, when he moved to Hollidaysburgh, Pa. In 1854, he again located in Clearfield. He died at Wallaceton, Pa., January 2, 1875. Thomas J. McCullough was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., July 10, 1828. His father was a Methodist minister and in the year 1840 Thomas came with the family to New Washington. He read law with Hon. G. R. Barrett and was admitted to the bar about 1855. In 1868 and '69 he represented the county in the Legislature and after his services in that capacity he engaged in the oil business. Later he opened a law office in Philipsburg, Pa., still residing, however, in Clearfield. He died at Philipsburg, Dec. 27, 1885. William A. Wallace was born in Huntingdon, Pa. Nov. 27, 1827. He came to Clearfield with his father, Robert Wallace, in 1836. He read law with his father and was admitted to the bar of Clearfield County in September, 1847. In 1862 he was elected to the State Senate and re-elected in 1865, '68, '71 and '74, serving fifteen consecutive Years. In 1871 he was elected Speaker of the Senate. In 1865 he was chairman of the Democratic State Committee and was re- elected in 1866, '67 and '68 and was again chosen in 1871. In 1875 he was chosen by the Legislature as a United States senator from Pennsylvania. He was for many years a power in the Democratic party, state and national. Mr. Wallace was a fine lawyer and until he gave up active practice to engage in politics and the development of the coal interests of Clearfield county, he was one of the leaders of the bar and was recognized as an opponent worthy of battle by those who contested with him in the Courts. He died in 1896. Joseph Benson McEnally was born January 25th, 1825 and admitted to the bar in 1849 (See sketch of his life in preceding chapter). John F. Weaver was admitted to the bar in 1844 after having read law with James Burnside of Bellefonte, Pa. He came to Clearfield AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 189 in 1845. In 1848 he was made deputy attorney general for the county and served three years, after which he became interested in the lumber business, which absorbed so much of his time that he gave up the practice of the law and devoted himself to business pursuits until his death. J. Biddle Gordon was born in Reading, Pa., being a son of Judge Gordon of that city. He located in Clearfield in 1853 and practiced law here for a number of years. He became involved by reason of his carelessness in business matters and being unable to settle his financial affairs, committed cuicide. Henry Bucher Swoope was born in Huntingdon, Pa., in the year 1831 and was a son of the eminent physician, Doctor William Swoope, of that place. He was educated at the Academia Academy, read law with the late Hon. John Scott of Huntingdon and was admitted to the bar at Huntingdon in 1852. He came to Clearfield in 1853, where he resided and practiced law until 1869, when President Grant appointed him U. S. district attorney for the district of Western Pennsylvania, when he removed to Pittsburgh. He was reappointed by President Grant in 1874, and served until his death in February, 1874. H. Bucher Swoope was one of the leading lawyers of Pennsylvania and as an advocate had few equals. He was also prominent in politics, having been chairman of the American party when that organization captured the state government and elected Pollock Governor. He was after the formation of the Republican party an active leader therein, a strong supporter of President Lincoln and the war to preserve the Union, organizing and commanding a company of soldiers to assist in repelling the rebel invasion of Pennsylvania, and using his voice, pen and means at all times for the benefit of the Government. Mr. Swoope was the founder and first editor of the Clearfield "Raftsman's Journal," which under his able editorship assumed an important place in the newspaper field. He was also the founder and editor in chief of the "Pittsburgh Evening Telegraph," (now the "Chronicle Telegraph"). As a prosecuting officer he became celebrated during his incumbency of the office of U. S. Attorney and his name was a terror to evil doers, as the acquittal of a defendant in a trial in which Mr. Swoope represented the Government was an almost unheard of event. Yet he was ever willing to aid the repentant criminal and use his influence and efforts to secure him a new chance in life. As a political orator he became famous and was one of the most eloquent and brilliant speakers of his time. He was also fond of literary pursuits and delivered many lectures and addresses upon such topics. John H. Fulford was born in Bedford, Pa., Feby. 11, 1838, read law with Frank Gordon Esq. of that place and with J. B. McEnally of Clearfield. He was admitted to practice at Clearfield about 1860. While reading law he also taught school. He was an active and stanch Republican and took an active part in party affairs. He died at Clearfield, June 27, 1877. John Lever Cuttle was born in Lancashire, England, June 22, 1809. He came to America in the year 1823 and located in Clearfield in 1839. He was a machinist and read law in his spare time, with Hon. G. R. Barrett. In 1853 he was admitted to practice. In 1859 he was elected prothonotary and served one term. In 1882 he was elected one of the associate judges of the county and served one term. Prior to his HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY 190 admission to the bar, Mr. Cuttle served as a justice of the peace and as county surveyor. He died at Clearfield a number of years ago. Robert J. Wallace, a brother of William A. Wallace, was born in Clearfield and read law with his brother. He was admitted to practice and served as district attorney of the county. He died about 1857. James Hepburn was born in Philadelphia and came to Clearfield in 1822, where he was admitted to the bar and practiced law until his death. James Petrikin was one of the older lawyers but no data is obtainable in regard to him. Samuel M. Green came to Clearfield from Centre county in October, 1822, and was admitted to the bar on that date. He was appointed deputy attorney-general for the county and remained here a number of years. Subsequent to his removal from this county he lived in Bellefonte, Pa., but went west and was lost trace of by his former associates. Frederick O'Leary Buck was born in England. Mr. Buck practiced law in Clearfield a short time in connection with William McCullough. He went west and died a year or two ago. Joseph F. McKenrick was born in Adams County, Pa., May 9, 1845. He came to Clearfield in 1865, read law with Hon. William A. Wallace and was admitted to practice June 24, 1878. In 1879 he was elected district attorney and was re- elected in 1882. Some years ago he removed to Ebensburg, Pa., where he now resides. Israel Test was born in Philipsburg, Centre county, Pa., September 28, 1831. He attended Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., studied law with J. M. Carlisle Esq. of Chambersburg, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of Franklin County in June, 1856. He located in Clearfield in 1858. Mr. Test was possessed of the peculiar faculty of laughing a case out of court and this sense of humor soon gained him the title of the wag of the bar. Although a man of considerable natural ability, he seldom practiced in the civil cases but delighted in the trial of criminal cases, where his ready wit stood him in good stead. Father Test was very popular with the people and with the members of the bar. He died at Clearfield, Pa., August 12, 1886. William M. McCullough, a brother of Thomas J. McCullough, was born in Beaver County, Pa., October 1, 1837, and came to Clearfield county in 1840. At an early age he entered the office of Hon. H. B. Swoope, who instructed him in the necessary elements of education as well as in the law. He was admitted to the bar in 1859, was twice chosen district attorney of the county and as a criminal lawyer he stood high. Mr. McCullough died at Thomasville, Ga., January 26, 1884. Walter Barrett was born in Clearfield, August 2, 1839, and was educated at the public schools and the University of Pennsylvania. In the year 1853 he was appointed a midshipman in the U. S. Navy. He read law with his father, Hon. G. R. Barrett, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Barrett was appointed major of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers and commanded the regiment after the death of Colonel William G. Murray at the battle of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 191 Winchester. At the battle of Fort Republic he was made Lieutenant Colonel. At Cloud's Mills Colonel Barrett was injured by his horse falling on him at the time of the giving way of a bridge. He then resigned from the army and in 1862 he returned home and resumed the practice of law in partnership with his father. Colonel Barrett died at Clearfield, Pa., in 1906. William D. Bigler was born in Clearfield, Pa., September 17, 1841. He was educated at the West Jersey Academy at Bridgton, N. J., and at Princeton College. He read law with William A. Wallace and was admitted to the bar in 1866 and afterwards entered into partnership with Mr. Wallace and Frank Fielding under the firm name of Wallace, Bigler and Fielding, and afterwards was a member of the firm of Fielding, Bigler and Wilson. In later years Mr. Bigler gave up the active practice of the law and devoted himself to business interests. He died at Clearfield, Pa., April 9, 1907. Daniel W. McCurdy was born in Charleston township, Chester county, Pa., August 30, 1841. He was educated at Freeland Seminary, Montgomery county, Pa., and at Dickinson College from which latter institution he was graduated in 1862. He then taught school in Luzerne County about two years, when he came to Clearfield and taught in the old Academy for several years. In 1865 he entered the office of J. B. McEnally as a law student. He was admitted to the bar in 1868 and in 1872 entered into partnership with Judge McEnally. Mr. McCurdy died on the 14th of February, 1903. Alonzo A. Adams was born in Boggs township, Clearfield county, Pa., December 3, 1847. He read law with Hon. H. Bucher Swoope and was admitted to the bar in June, 1869. Mr. Adams died about 1879. William C. Arnold was born in Luthersburg, Clearfield county, Pa., July 15, 1851. He was educated at Millersville State Normale School and at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. He read law with Hon. J. B. McEnally and was admitted to the bar in May, 1878. He located at Curwensville. In 1896 he was the Republican candidate for Congress in the 28th District and was elected and was re-elected for the following term. He also served his party as Chairman of the Republican County Committee for several years. About the year 1892 Mr. Arnold located in DuBois where he resided and practiced law until his death, which occurred in 1906. W. C. Arnold was a lawyer of ability, and stood well in his profession. He was a man of fine presence and agreeable personality. As a public speaker he was at his best on the political platform and took an active part in the various campaigns from 1878 to the time of his death. Alonzo P. MacLeod was born in Clearfield May 29, 1861. He attended the Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pa., and the Columbia Law School at New York. Mr. MacLeod read law with Walter Barrett and was admitted to the bar in May, 1884. He first practiced at Coalport, Pa., and afterwards removed to Altoona, Pa., where he died about 1907. Alfred A. Graham was born at Clearfield, February 3, 1845. He read law with William A. Wallace and after his admission to practice formed a partnership with William M. McCullough. A few years prior to his HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY 192 death he removed to DuBois where he died on the 23rd of February, 1880. William Irvin Shaw was born at Clearfield March 20, 1860, was educated at the public schools and at Yale University, read law with Murray & Gordon and was admitted to the bar in June, 1882. After his admission to practice Mr. Shaw located at Houtzdale and remained there until his appointment as United States Consul at Barranquilla, South America. Mr. Shaw was an active Republican and served as County Chairman for a number of years. He died in December, 1900. Joseph W. Parker was a native of Mifflin county, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of that county. About 1882 he came to Clearfield and practiced law here for a few years, but was more interested in politics. After his return to Mifflin county he resumed practice in that county and died there a few years ago. George D. Hamor was born in Freeport, Armstrong county, Pa., June 21, 1855. He was admitted to the bar of Butler county in 1876 and practiced there until 1880 when he came to this county, locating in DuBois. He was admitted to the Clearfield county bar in March, 1880. Mr. Hamor remained in the county a few years and then moved to New Kensington, Pa. Truman Ames was born in Antioch, Lake county, Ill., June 25, 1851. He read law with Hall & Ames of St. Mary's, Elk county, Pa., and with H. T. Ames Esq. of Williamsport, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in May, 1880, and located in DuBois in February, 1881. George W. Easton was born in Clinton county, Pa., May 16, 1860. He read law with Wallace & Krebs and was admitted to the bar in June, 1883. Mr. Easton left Clearfield county shortly after his admission to practice.